Mati has three bays, namely Pujada, Mayo, and Balete. These bays were listed as one of the world’s most beautiful bays, a lone distinction of having all three bays in one city, by the association of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World(Les Plus Belles Baies du Monde) in 2022, hence the nickname 'The City of Beautiful Bays'.[9][10]
In the 2023 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), Mati ranked 39th out of 114 overall on the competitive component cities in the Philippines.[11] Since 2020, the city government of Mati has been a consistent recipient of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Seal of Good Local Governance, and Good Financial Housekeeping.[12][13][14]
History
The Mayor Francisco Garcia Rabat Park and Baywalk, opened in 2007, it is the largest urban green space in the city and serves as a venue for popular events. From here, views of Mount Hamiguitan and Pujada Bay can be seen. Renovation works were done in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reopened in late 2021.
Mati comes from the Mandaya word Maa-ti, which refers to the town's creek that easily dries up even after heavy rain. Pioneer settlers were the Austronesianindigenous peoplesMandaya and Kalagan, and the Arabic-Indo-Malayan-influenced Maguindanao and Maranao.
Spanish period
Captain Prudencio Garcia, the pioneer political-military head in 1861, and his comrade Juan Nazareno founded the settlement of Mati and two other communities in Davao Oriental.[15]
By October 29, 1903, Mati was declared a municipality by virtue of Act No. 21.[15] By 1907, Act No. 189 further reaffirmed the establishment of its local government. Francisco Rojas was the first appointed mayor while the first elected mayor was Patricio Cunanan in 1923. Mati became the capital of Davao Oriental in 1967.
Japanese occupation and World War II
The Japanese Imperial forces landed in town and occupied most of eastern Davao region in 1942. Mati was liberated in 1945 by the Allied Philippine Commonwealth troops of the 6th, 10th, 101st, 102nd, 103rd, 104th, 106th, 107th and 110th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, 10th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary and the Davaoeño guerrilla units.
Contemporary Period
The Mati Centennial Clock, a centerpiece to commemorate the centennial founding year of Mati
Mati celebrated the grand centennial of its founding as a town in 2003.[16]
On June 20, 2007, the Commission on Elections officially proclaimed the ratification of Republic Act 9408 converting the Municipality of Mati into a component city.
There were 18,267 actual voters out of the 51,287 registered voters in 26 villages and 266 polling precincts during the June 18 plebiscite. Final tabulation showed Yes – 18,267 votes (35.6%); No – 846 (1.6%).[17]
The Supreme Court declared the cityhood law of Mati and 15 other cities unconstitutional after a petition filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines in its ruling on November 18, 2008. On December 22, 2009, the cityhood law of Mati and 15 other municipalities regain its status as cities again after the court reversed its ruling on November 18, 2008. On August 23, 2010, the court reinstated its ruling on November 18, 2008, causing Mati and 15 cities to become regular municipalities. Finally, on February 15, 2011, Mati becomes a city again including the 15 municipalities declaring that the conversion to cityhood met all legal requirements.
After six years of legal battle, in its board resolution, the League of Cities of the Philippines acknowledged and recognized the cityhood of Mati and 15 other cities.
Geography
Pujada Bay and the Sleeping Dinosaur viewed from the Zigzag Road in Barangay Badas
Mati features a tropical rainforest climate with copious amounts of rainfall throughout the course of the year. There is no pronounced dry season, but it has very pronounced maximum rain from May to July, with June being the wettest month of the year, experiencing 28 days of rain.
Sitio Catmonan in Barangay Macambol is where a stream flows through the foot of Mount Hamiguitan and drains to Pujada Bay
The temperature is constant throughout the year. Mati's average yearly rainfall is just over 2,109 mm (83.1 in). February is the driest month of the year, with only 18 rainy days and 141 mm (5.6 in) of precipitation. The average high temperature is 30 °C (85 °F), and the average low temperature is 23 °C (74 °F). The coolest month is July, with 95.2% of all the days of the month having a temperature below 30 °C, and the hottest month is April, with only 62.9% of all the days of the month having a temperature below 30 °C.
Cebuano is the most widely spoken language and the corresponding ethnicity (which includes the Boholano subgroup) accounts for 71.55% of the total household population according to a 2000 census. Mandaya ranks second with 12.74%, followed by Kalagan with 6.87%. Most residents of Mati are descendants of migrants from the Visayas who came for employment opportunities in logging, mining, farming, fishing, trading and teaching.[25]
Religion
The interior of the Carmelite Monastery at Sitio Tua-tua, Barangay Matiao
Roman Catholicism is the major religion in the city, comprising 80% of the total population. Islam comes in second with 8%. Other Christian denominations, like the Iglesia ni Cristo, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the United Church of Christ, Seventh Day Adventists, various protestant churches, are in the city as well.[25]
Sunflowers at the Sunflower Farm located at Davao Commercial Agriculture Research Station at Sitio Marfori, Barangay Don Enrique Lopez
Being the southeasternmost part of Metro Davao, Mati is linked to the markets of Mindanao and Southeast Asia through Davao City. Located around 150 kilometers from the regional economic center, the city serves as the economic hub of the province of Davao Oriental and other nearby municipalities of other provinces. Most of the local people rely on agriculture and agro-industries for a living.
Dahican Beach shoreline
Once heavily dependent on coconut, the city's economy has slowly begun diversifying. The city government has established its own poultry dressing plant,[27] and the Mati Fish Port will be operational, supporting the expansion of the fishing industry in the city.[28] Because of its tropical nature and beaches, the tourism industry in the city has been expanding rapidly in recent years.
A banking system is found in the city, with a number of different banks providing various financial services to consumers and businesses. Being a vital financial and institutional center in the province, apart from banks, non-bank financial institutions, and offices of government departments and agencies are also found in the city. Despite the lack of industries, and being heavily monopolized in the commerce sector, other sectors such as service, tourism and agriculture have propelled the local economy in recent years.
Although the youngest city in the region, having regained cityhood status only in 2011, Mati has gradually become an investment hub and is considered one of the emerging cities for doing business with its rapid advancements in government infrastructure and evolving business-friendly environment.
Aerial view of Mati Downtown
In the 2022 COA Report,[32] Mati ranked fourth out of the six cities in Davao Region with a total revenue of ₱1.803 billion, only after Davao City (₱17.169 billion), Tagum (₱3.543 billion), and Panabo (₱1.818 billion), making it a key area for future growth in Metro Davao.
The Mati Obelisk, or simply The Pylon, is a known landmark in the city, designed by the National Artist for Architecture Juan Felipe de Jesús Nakpil in 1979 as a symbol of people's faith in a responsive government. Renovation works were done in 2020.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod serves as the city's legislative body and its role is to enact ordinances, approve resolutions, appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants. Both the council members and the mayor serve three-year terms; and eligible for re-election for two more three-year terms.[33]
In basic education, seven private schools, sixteen public high schools, and a number of public elementary schools are located in the city.[34] The City Schools Division of Mati supervises these schools.
Culture
The Subangán, or the Davao Oriental Provincial Museum, is a museum located in the city that showcases the natural and cultural history of the province of Davao Oriental.The Indak-Sayaw sa Kadalanan has been the main highlight of the week-long celebration of Sambuokan Festival since its inception in 2001.
Mati celebrates two annual grand festivals: the Pujada Bay Festival every June and the Sambuokan Festival every October. Compared to the Kadayawan of Davao and other festivals, both of Mati's are relatively new. The Pujada Bay Festival started in 2004 to promote and protect Pujada Bay, while the Sambuokan Festival started in 2001 to unite Matinians during the commemoration of the municipality's founding anniversary every October 29. In years, both festivals have become alternative tourist destinations as competitors from various regions in the country start pouring in for competitions like streetdancing, boat racing, and skimboarding.
In 2022, the city government, together with the Department of Tourism, launched BAY DEEP MATI, a freediving festival that is the first in the country.[35]
Fiestas and Festivals
Rajah Sports Fest – every June 10 to 19 and every October 10 to 24
Recently, Mati hosted the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) Games in 2014 and 2022.
In 2022, the Rajah Sports Fest, named after Francisco Garcia Rabat who was given the moniker "Rajah of Rebound" at the 1954 FIBA World Championship, was organized by the city government to help boost sports development in the city. The following is a list of sports usually contested at the biannual local sports festival:
The pedicab or tricycle is the major means of transportation around the city. In recent years, underbone motorcycles have earned quite a popularity among professionals and students, thus easily becoming a public transport alternative to commuters who prefer more speed. Jeepneys are available for travels from Mati to its neighboring towns while vans and buses are still the only means of transportation from Mati to other cities.
Mati Airport (IATA: MXI, ICAO: RPMQ) serves the city, but only accommodates chartered flights. In 2022, plans to expand the airport to accommodate commercial operations were revived.[37]
There is also a seaport in Mati. The Mati Seaport in Pujada Bay is one of only three seaports in the whole province of Davao Oriental.
Power
Mati is served by the Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative for its power needs.
Water service
The Mati Water District is the local water provider for the city.
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